"It felt great," Saunders said. "It felt great to get back on the mound. It was a little weird throwing to my own hitters, but they said it was coming out good. My arm felt amazing so hopefully I can get back out there ASAP."

Saunders was scratched from his start June 22 against the Cubs when he was unable to get his shoulder loose while warming up in the bullpen.

"I want to just be sure, that's all," Gibson said about his reasoning for wanting Saunders to make a possible rehab start on Sunday.

"I want to come here and pitch for the club and start contributing again," Saunders said. "I don't know what the plan is, but we'll talk about that. I feel like I'm ready. I feel like I can pitch soon like even this week so we'll cross that bridge when we have to."